BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Tax Commission has voted to delay Idaho’s tax deadline a month to match the new later federal tax deadline.
The commission voted unanimously Thursday to extend the deadline from April 15 to May 17.
The Internal Revenue Service announced last week it’s delaying the traditional tax filing deadline due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Idaho Legislature had been planning to advance legislation required to extend the state filing deadline, but lawmakers went into recess late last week due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Statehouse.
Because that legislation was not passed before lawmakers recessed, Idaho was of only a few states with a state filing deadline that does not match the federal deadline.
According to his office, Gov. Brad Little instructed the Idaho State Tax Commission to hold a special meeting on Thursday to officially extend the state filing deadline by a month.
The tax commission has the authority to unilaterally take the action under a section of Idaho law involving declared disasters like the coronavirus pandemic.
Senate Pro Tem Chuck Winder and House Speaker Scott Bedke said in a statement that lawmakers will approve the legislation when they reconvene on April 6.
Little said it was important to "provide taxpayers and tax preparers with immediate clarification" on the state tax deadline.
"I appreciate the Tax Commission and the Idaho Legislature for prioritizing the actions needed to ease the burden on Idahoans in preparing their taxes this year," Little said.
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